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Readjusting observational grids in dragonfly field guides.
Sander Turnhout1, Willem Halffman1
1Institute for Science in Society, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Social Studies of Science
|July 8, 2023
Summary
Field guides evolve as community concerns shift, altering how wildlife, like dragonflies, are identified. This research explores how observational grids change with ethics, recreation, tools, and conservation goals.
Area of Science:
- Science and Technology Studies (STS)
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Wildlife field guides provide observational grids, enabling species identification by highlighting key distinguishing features.
- These observational grids shape how users perceive and interact with the natural world, influencing what is considered significant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how observational grids in wildlife field guides change over time.
- To demonstrate how evolving community concerns—including ethics, recreation, tools, and conservation—impact species identification criteria.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the historical development of Dutch dragonfly field guides.
- Transdisciplinary research combining emic knowledge from a dragonfly enthusiast with STS research methods.
Main Results:
- The characteristics used to identify dragonflies have changed in response to shifts in observational ethics, recreational interests, technological affordances, and conservation priorities.
- These changes affect not only identification practices but also the very perception of dragonfly biodiversity.
Conclusions:
- Observational grids are dynamic and socially constructed, reflecting broader societal values and concerns.
- Understanding these shifts is crucial for effective wildlife observation, identification, and conservation efforts.
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